The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has recommended PBS listing for tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA).

At its March meeting the PBAC acknowledged that trial data showed that tocilizumab injection (weekly or fortnightly) was associated with a statistically significant increase in response rates compared with placebo plus a 52-week prednisone taper, and considered this was an important clinical benefit in this condition.

“The PBAC reiterated its previous advice that there is a high unmet clinical need for effective treatments for giant cell arteritis particularly given the adverse events associated with corticosteroids in this population who are often older patients with comorbidities, and the limited treatment options available.”